dwelling house improvement project involve a lot of muscle and mentality , and re - doing your story is an even enceinte worry . Whether you ’re a do - it - yourselfer or a presently - to - be contractor , you might find yourself , at some point , in a situation where you need to sleep with how to remove epoxy from concrete .
It ’s a intimidating feeling when you find yourself standing in a garage or room that has epoxy flooring and knowing that its time to supervene upon it . How heavily will removing it be ? Can you hit the epoxy flooring yourself , or will you have to hire a professional ? Will it be worth it ?
alas , there is n’t an dateless lean of ways to slay epoxy from concrete , and most of the method acting require harsh chemical substance and heavy equipment . engage someone to strip the epoxy from concrete is an option , but lay aside money and putting in the body of work yourself is also doable . Before you determine what strategy to take , it ’s all-important to translate the make - up of epoxy take aback .
Understanding Epoxy
Epoxy consists of two fluid components : rosin and hardener . Epoxy rouge was voguish about a decade ago and offer honest cover for basement , patio , and service department floor .
The knockout lacquer add a piddling bit of shine and comes in a variety of colors . The paint works as an fantabulous concrete sealant while stay immune to tire scrape , crude oil stains , scuff , crack , desquamation , and fall .
Epoxy is also as chintzy as $ 30 a Imperial gallon , a drastic drop-off in monetary value compared to roofing tile or wood flooring , and lasts up to 20 yr . One of the only downsides to epoxy is that it may yellow over fourth dimension .
The Simplest Ways to Remove Epoxy from Concrete
There are only two uncommitted paths to take when remove epoxy resin rouge from concrete service department floor on your own . Either strip the epoxy paint with chemicals or use machinery to remove it . Either style , knowing how to slay epoxy glue from concrete guide a lot of preparation , safety measures , and longanimity .
Hiring a Professional
There is no shame in hiring a pro to polish off the epoxy resin from your concrete story . This is a challenging labor and sometimes require help .
However , that does n’t mean that you ca n’t do it yourself . There are several other useful options to strip epoxy from concrete .
Safety Measures for Removing Epoxy Paint from Concrete Garage Floor
One of the ways to remove epoxy resin from concrete involve the use of inviolable chemicals . When using any chemical stripper , work in a well - ventilate arena and ceaselessly diffuse the air by pointing a lover towards an candid window or door .
Many of the chemicals found in pigment strippers contain carcinogen . Wear a gas helmet to reduce the number of fumes you breathe in . buy a respirator that covers your nozzle and mouth .
If you are ineffective to afford to purchase one , some stores admit you to rent them . A dust mask is not the same as a respirator and does not protect you from breathe in the chemical .
Protecting your cutis is as significant as protecting your lung . Always fatigue neoprene or galosh gloves when handling coarse chemicals . Protect the residuum of your body with long sleeve , bloomers , oculus goggles , and prophylactic boots in case of splashing .
How to Remove Epoxy from Concrete with Paint Strippers
epoxy glue paint remover product often contain methyl ethyl ketone , or MEK , which helps to break down the epoxy and makes it well-fixed to undress .
stock paint thinner does n’t work as well , so find a exotic dancer with MEK is essential for the success of your task . There are several merchandise to choose from before you start the stripping process .
Methylene Chloride Stripper
Methylene chloride , sometimes called methylene chloride , contains MEK and is found at home melioration stores and on-line retailer . Read all instructions on the container to check secure use . This product is your most reliable ally in strip away the wooden-headed lacquer .
Caustic Strippers
vitriolic strippers are another option for you on your epoxy - removal journeying . These strippers take longer to remove than the strippers with MEK , but they have few wellness risk of infection .
Caustic strippers work well when there are several epoxy floor coatings or layers . quash using these strippers on wood because they break down and attract moisture .
Acetone
Acetone is another intersection used to plagiarize epoxy coating . This resolution quickly break up and should not be used on magnanimous control surface . or else , use them to rub away small areas containing epoxy rouge .
How to Use Paint Strippers to Remove Epoxy
Pour your paint stripper of choice into a bombastic bucket or container . habituate a swob or paintbrush to apply the rouge stemmer to the intended aerofoil sphere . allow for the paint peeler on for the amount of time indicated on the publicity way .
pass on the way while you wait to determine your vulnerability to chemical . After the appropriate amount of time has fall out , use a putty knife or paint scraper to test that the one-time epoxy lifts aside from the surface .
Apply as many coat as necessary to entirely remove the paint . check the putty tongue at an angle and use the metal sword to scrape carpet gum off subfloor or epoxy resin off concrete . habituate a toothbrush or toothpick to get rid of the epoxy located in small dents and crannies .
Once you ’ve successfully take the epoxy paint , find a manner to clean concrete garage floor . Some place suggest that the best way to clean a cement floor is with acetum and H2O .
Homemade Concrete Cleaner
Concrete cleaners do n’t take a trip to the depot . Thebest way to clean cementum flooris to create your own cleaner .
In a orotund sprayer , compound adequate parts bleach and cold water . Add dishwashing detergent . Spray the resolution on the cemented area and allow sit for five minutes . Power wash the arena to rinse away the cleansing agent .
This formula is thebest concrete cleanerto employment in both indoor and outdoor spaces . By subdue the overall amount of cleanser and tally baking soda , this recipe also makes an efficacious epoxy grout cleaner in areas with tile .
conflate adequate parts acetum and clean water in a bucket . Use a swab to apply the resolution to the flooring surface area . Power - wash to rinse .
Often , acetum is ideal for all kinds of stains on concrete surfaces . employ it for dirt stains on concrete , whether it ’s diesel , cooking lubricating oil from the grillwork , or some other undesirable and unwelcome stain . You ’ll likely be proud of with the outcome .
Machines for Removing Epoxy Paint from Concrete Garage Floor
If you know anything about how to remove epoxy from concrete , you know that your removal option are limited .
Aside from chemicals , using machinery is your next best choice for an epoxy resin remover . Before you rent any machine , leverage earmuffs to protect your listening .
Renting a Floor Grinder
A floor grinder uses an harsh surface to scratch epoxy glue from a concrete control surface . These machine are available for split at your local plate improvement store . rive a bladed grinder attachment with your simple machine to help drag the concrete more quickly .
Using a Steel Shot-Blast to Remove Epoxy
A shot - bang machine use high press to chip away the paint with tiny blade balls . Shot blasting is good in prepping the concrete floor ’s airfoil for Modern epoxy or key . These machines are available for rent at larger computer hardware entrepot or hire a blow out of the water troupe to do it .
Sand-Blasting Epoxy from Concrete
A sandblaster earn paint remotion simple by using flat air or steam to shoot George Sand particles over a surface area at gamey focal ratio . The tiny atom get sanding off the thick epoxy coatings .
These machine are available for rent at your local ironware store . If you decide to habituate a simple machine to remove epoxy resin from your concrete , strip up any junk or stay on particles from the story with a vacuum .
Wipe your digit on the ground and , if a blank residue come up , use one of the cleaners listed antecedently in this article to remove and sanitize your concrete correctly .
We applaud you if you ’ve decided to tackle the tremendous task of hit epoxy glue pigment from concrete .
This place renovation task is no minor feat and necessitate a lot of preparation , safety , and dedication . strain out one of our ways to remove epoxy resin from concrete for high - caliber results .
If you found our advice on how to remove epoxy from concrete beneficial during your house - advance project , share our epoxy remotion strategy on Facebook and Pinterest .